Some say even though little or none of a religious belief system may be true,
(1) why not let people happily live with their religious fantasies. Furthermore,
(2) believing them is an effective way to keep people under control, behaved,
and in their place. What people don’t know won’t hurt them.
(3) A very effective way for leaders or “power” people to influence and control
others (and themselves?).
I disagree. Of all the possible fantasies,
a seriously taken religious fantasy is the most dangerous to all.
It is important for people to have a chance to know there are alternatives
in the marketplace of religion and non-religion to enhance their lives.
Some say religious fantasies are alright as long as they don’t hurt others or
themselves; and as long as they don’t prevent human progress.
I agree that fantasies (even some religious fantasies) are useful, (may at times alleviate
distress, anxiety, the fear of the unknown) and are fun when we
know basically that they are fantasies and not somehow reality. But, history
shows that religious fantasies if taken seriously restrict liberty, the pursuit of
knowledge, and freedoms, therefore they are dangerous and an unnecessary
hardship on all. As generations pass, religious fantasies seem to gain a life of
their own and become accepted as divine and universal truth.
The effects of religious fantasies can be reduced substantially by allowing a
large diversity of belief systems. It is important in a society to have the freedom
to choose a religion and the freedom to choose no religion.
Some say: While I certainly acknowledge your contribution to the wealth of biblical
errancy material, I find arguing with these bozos most tedious and futile.
If I were you, I would simply come up with a standard letter to send these
folks, along the lines of “The errors in the bible are clear. If you
continue to choose to ignore them, believing instead that it is somehow
divinely inspired, I would say you have a very low opinion of your supposed
god, and if I were him, I’d sue you for slander. An omnipotent, omniscient
being would have no need for apologists. He/she/it would get it right the
first time, and it would be impossible to get it wrong subsequently. But
you have every right to believe whatever you want, even if it is
self-contradictory, so have at it.”
Naturalism and Religious Experience 